- What is the difference between braces and a retainer?
Braces are fixed to the teeth and are therefore not removable. Retainers clip onto the teeth and can be removed for cleaning the teeth and retainer. Braces are considered a "high power" appliance compared to a retainer which would be considered a "low power" appliance. Retainers are limited in the way they can move teeth. Invisalign has been shown to function as a hybrid of both braces and retainers. Although braces are good at tooth extrusion (moving the tooth out of the bone), Invisalign cannot do this well.
- What are some of the advantages of a retainer over braces?
The first advantage of a retainer over braces is that it is removable. This makes the retainer and the teeth more cleanable. The second advantage is that generally the cost of retainers is less than the cost of braces. This means that if a retainer will do the job, then it is probably the appliance of choice.
- What are some of the limitations of retainers?
As previously discussed, there are some tooth movements that retainers just cannot do. There is less power and less control with a retainer. They do not intrude or extrude teeth well. A retainer can not bodily move a tooth, but can only tip it over the root. Also, because the retainer is removable it is also possible to lose it, or just not wear it.
- What are the different types of retainers used for?
The most common retainer is the classic plastic and wire type. It has been used for many years and has withstood the test of time. It is good for doing minor forms of tooth movement and does a nice job of stabilizing the teeth after braces are removed. Another type of plastic and wire retainer is the expander.Most commonly used in the upper, it can widen the upper dental arch and provide more room for the teeth to erupt. A more recent arrival is the clear plastic overlay retainer. It is most often used after braces are removed. It does a great job of keeping the teeth straight, is thin and easy to wear, but is limited in moving the teeth.
- Some of my friends have a clear plastic upper retainer they use after they have had their braces removed. Do these retainers work as well as the old wire and plastic retainers?
The clear plastic overlay retainers actually do a better job of keeping the teeth straight than older-style conventional plastic and wire retainers. Besides preventing in-out movement of the teeth, the clear plastic overlay retainers also stabilize up-down movement of the teeth (unlike the conventional plastic and wire retainers).
- Should I wear my retainer while eating?
The conventional plastic and wire retainer can be worn while eating because it is strong enough to resist chewing forces and will not discolor from foods that are eaten. The newer clear overlay retainer needs to be removed for meals because the clear plastic easily picks up food colors causing it to turn yellow in color. Remember not to wrap your retainer in a napkin or it will surely be thrown away in the trash by mistake.
- Should I wear my retainer while playing sports?
If your retainer fits well, it is fine to wear it while you play most sports. The only risk is to the retainer. If it gets knocked out onto the ground and is stepped on, it could break. There is no risk to the teeth. The retainer even offers some protection to the teeth; however, remember that your retainer is by no means a mouth guard. If you are playing a sport where there is a risk of dental injury, please wear a properly fitted mouth guard.
- Why are retainers so expensive to replace?
True--retainers are "just plastic and metal". But the reason retainers are so expensive is not based on what they are made of, but what it takes to make them. First, an imprint of the teeth is needed. It is then poured in plaster and shaped to make a working model of the teeth. The retainer is then custom fabricated on the model so that it fits your set of teeth exactly. In other words, it is custom made for you and no one else on the planet. Lastly, the retainer must be fit and adjusted in the mouth by the orthodontist to get the perfect fit. All these steps combined require trained professionals working many hours--just to make a single retainer.